CN116134715A

CN116134715A - Method for setting up a radio communication system in a high-voltage power converter station and high-voltage power converter station

Info

Publication number: CN116134715A
Application number: CN202180062525.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·卢维索托; D·霍尔曼斯; C·舍贝格; J·阿曼
Original assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
Current assignee: Hitachi Energy Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-14
Filing date: 2021-04-14
Publication date: 2023-05-16
Also published as: US20230361596A1; EP4324290A1; WO2022218518A1

Abstract

A method (1) for establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station (5 a) is provided. The high voltage power converter station comprises a plurality of power devices (10 a-10 c). The wireless communication system includes a plurality of wireless communication devices (15 a-15 c), some of which are associated with power devices such that one power device and one wireless communication device together form one wireless power electronics module (25 a-25 c). The high voltage power converter station further comprises at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power devices. The method includes determining, by the controller, at least one communication path providing signal quality above a threshold based on an indication of signal quality of a plurality of channels established between a wireless networking device and a wireless power electronics module or between a wireless communication device and a wireless power electronics module (S3).

Description

Method for setting up a radio communication system in a high-voltage power converter station and high-voltage power converter station

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication in a high voltage power converter station, and in particular to establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station.

Background

High voltage power converter stations employed in e.g. high voltage direct current HVDC power transmission systems typically rely on optical links to control the switching of their high voltage power converters and more generally to control the switching of power devices such as e.g. insulated gate bipolar transistors IGBTs and/or thyristors.

The optical link provides reliable and high-speed communications while maintaining the required voltage isolation. However, installation and commissioning of optical links is time consuming and expensive.

High voltage power converter control requires ultra low latency and ultra reliable communication to multiple power devices. Conventional wireless communication systems (e.g., wiFi, LTE, bluetooth) deployed in the 2,4/5GHz spectrum or adjacent frequencies suffer from limited available bandwidth, which limits the achievable latency.

Furthermore, the presence of metallic obstructions in the power converter station, such as, for example, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields, cooling pipes, and/or support structures, may limit the propagation of radio signals between the controller and the power devices. The reliability of conventional wireless communications may be improved by signal processing methods such as forward error correction and/or retransmission. However, such a signal processing method increases the latency of communication. Furthermore, conventional wireless communications may be compromised and/or limited by interference caused by radio signals external to the power converter station (such as, for example, cellular networks and/or satellite links), which may limit the available bandwidth and/or reduce the reliability of conventional communication systems.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a reliable, low latency and high speed communication system for a power converter station. It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a communication system in a power converter station that is easier to install and debug. To achieve at least one of these and other objects, a method for establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station and a high voltage power converter station according to the independent claims are provided. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a method for establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station is provided. The high voltage power converter station includes a plurality of power devices, and the wireless communication system includes: a plurality of wireless communication devices. Some of the plurality of wireless communication devices are associated with power devices such that one power device and one wireless communication device together form one wireless power electronics module. The wireless communication system further includes at least one wireless networking device for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller configured to control the power device.

The method comprises the following steps: an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of first channels is obtained at the controller. A first channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions. The method further comprises the steps of: an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of second channels is obtained at the controller. A second channel corresponds to a communication path between a wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronic modules using one of the plurality of radio beam directions. The method further comprises the steps of: for each wireless power electronics module, determining, by the controller, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the indication of signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels. The determined communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold.

According to a second aspect, a high voltage power converter station is provided. The high voltage power converter station comprises: a plurality of power devices. The high voltage power converter station further includes a plurality of wireless communication devices. Some of the plurality of wireless communication devices are associated with power devices such that one power device and one wireless communication device together form one wireless power electronics module. The high voltage power converter station further comprises at least one wireless networking device for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller. The controller is configured to control the power device. The controller is further configured to: an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of first channels is obtained. A first channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions. The controller is further configured to obtain an indication of signal quality for each of the plurality of second channels. A second channel corresponds to a communication path between a wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronic modules using one of the plurality of radio beam directions. The controller is further configured to determine, for each wireless power electronics module, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the indications of signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels. The determined communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold.

A wireless communication system having a plurality of communication devices and at least one networking device may be an integral part of a high voltage power converter station. The power converter station or high voltage power converter station may for example comprise a power converter hall (hall), a power converter cabinet (cabinet), a power converter substation or any other type of power converter station comprising a plurality of (high voltage) power devices. In this regard, the power device may for example comprise a switching device such as an IGBT or a thyristor, a switching apparatus or any other power device of a high voltage power converter station under the control of a controller.

The term "wireless communication device" refers to, for example, a radio communication device, a microwave communication device, or a millimeter wave communication device. As mentioned above, the wireless communication device may be associated with a power device to form a wireless power electronics module, wherein the wireless communication device may receive control messages from a controller of the power converter station and may transmit status messages to the controller. A wireless communication device that is not associated with a power device may be understood as a relay or relay device, for example.

Further, the wireless networking device may include any device that serves as a wireless interface between, for example, a controller and a wireless communication device. Wireless networking devices may also be referred to as wireless hubs. The wireless networking device may be connected to the controller via a wired connection while it is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless communication device.

Further, although reference is made to "one controller" in describing the method and power converter station in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the power converter station may include multiple controllers. For example, each of the controllers may be configured to control a subset of the power devices of the power converter station. The controller may also be referred to as a control unit or control entity.

In the above, the indication of signal quality may for example comprise a value, an annotation, a message or an index. The indication may be obtained via, for example, channel sounding.

At least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module may be determined based on the indication of the signal quality of the plurality of first channels and the second channels. This "determination" may be understood as, for example, path selection.

The present method and high voltage power converter station provide more reliable communication than conventional wireless communication systems. Furthermore, the time required for installation and commissioning of the communication system is reduced compared to the time required for installation of a wired communication system. In other words, benefits of the method and the high voltage power converter station include less time consuming and expensive installation and commissioning of the communication system for the power devices controlling the power converter station.

It should also be appreciated that in the present method and power converter station, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module selected (or determined) by the controller may include a first channel and/or a second channel, provided that the signal quality provided by the communication path is above a threshold. The selected communication path may include: communication between the controller and the networking device (or hub), which may be wired, and wireless communication between other entities, such as direct wireless communication between the networking device and the wireless power electronics module (which corresponds to one of the first channels), or indirect (or relay) wireless communication from the networking device to the wireless power electronics module via the wireless communication device acting as a relay, thereby including both one of the first channels (between the networking device and the wireless communication device) and one of the second channels (between the wireless communication device and the wireless power electronics module).

Thus, the present method and power converter station are beneficial in that they may involve a combination of direct communication and cooperative communication (or relay-based communication). The determination or selection of a communication path for a particular wireless power electronics module will depend on the location of the wireless power electronics module within the power converter station, as direct wireless communication between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module may not result in a signal quality above a threshold, whereas relay communication between the networking device and the wireless power electronics module via one of the wireless communication devices may provide a signal quality above a threshold.

The method and power converter station combine directional communication and cooperative communication by selecting at least one communication path from a plurality of radio beam directions for a first channel and/or a second channel. The combination of directional communication and cooperative communication may result in a greater number of possible communication paths, which may result in more communication paths (available communication paths) having a signal quality above a predetermined threshold. This provides redundancy for communication between the controller and the wireless power electronics module, resulting in a more reliable communication system and thus a more reliable power converter station.

In the present method and power converter station, a plurality of communication paths are investigated, because the quality of a plurality of combinations for establishing a communication path from the controller to each of the wireless power electronic modules is compared with a threshold value. These combinations include one or more of a plurality of first channels and a plurality of second channels, as described above. Furthermore, this determination may only require a measurement of the quality of the wireless link of the plausible communication path comprising the first channel and the second channel.

The controller may be configured to communicate with the wireless power electronics module along at least two communication paths that provide the two highest signal qualities. In other words, the controller may determine at least two communication paths from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the indications of signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels. The determined communication path may provide a signal quality above a threshold. An advantage of this embodiment is that it provides redundancy for communication between the controller and the wireless power electronics module, resulting in a more reliable communication system and thus a more reliable power converter station.

The controller may be configured to prioritize the determined communication paths with respect to signal quality. The term "prioritizing" also refers to, for example, determining a rank, list, rate or score. The controller may be configured to prioritize the determined communication paths with respect to the indication of signal quality. The benefit of this embodiment is that it may provide a list of determined levels of communication paths, thereby improving the reliability of the communication system and thus the reliability of the power converter station.

Information about the at least one determined communication path may be transmitted to the at least one wireless networking device and the wireless communication device. The information may be transmitted from the controller to at least one wireless networking device, which may then transmit or forward the information to the wireless communication device (and thus also to the wireless power electronics module). The information about the at least one determined communication path may include at least one determined path between each wireless networking device and each wireless communication device or information about a complete communication path from the controller to each wireless power electronics module. In the case where there are multiple wireless networking devices, the information regarding the at least one determined communication path sent to a particular wireless networking device may include information regarding the at least one determined path involving the particular wireless networking device. Similarly, the information about the at least one determined communication path sent to a respective wireless communication device may include only information about the at least one determined path for the respective wireless communication device. Distributing information about the determined (or preferred) communication path between the controller and the wireless power electronics module improves the response time when the wireless communication system is established in the power converter station.

The controller may be configured to communicate with each wireless power module along a communication path that provides the highest signal quality during operation. The controller may be further configured to: if a status message is not received from the wireless power module within a predetermined period of time, the communication path is determined to be inactive. Upon such determination, the controller may be configured to switch to the communication path providing the second highest signal quality. In other words, the controller may be further configured to switch to the active communication path providing the highest signal quality after the determination. The wireless power electronics module may be configured to transmit the status message to the controller. The wireless power module may be configured to repeatedly transmit the status message to the controller, wherein a time between transmitting status messages may be referred to as a status period. The predetermined period of time may be equal to the state period of time multiplied by a predetermined number. In other words, the controller may be configured to determine that the communication path is inactive if no status message is received from the power module within a time equal to the status period multiplied by a predetermined number. The term "predetermined number" refers to, for example, substantially any integer. In other words, the controller may be configured to determine that the communication path is inactive if the controller does not receive a predetermined number of consecutive status messages. Accordingly, since a communication path for communication between the controller and the wireless power electronic module is updated, reliability is further increased. Inactive communication paths are discarded and priorities between active or available communication paths are updated.

Obtaining an indication of signal quality of a first channel of the plurality of first channels (i.e., a channel between the wireless networking device and the wireless communication device along a particular beam direction) may include: transmitting a first probe message from the wireless networking device to the wireless communication device; receiving, at the wireless networking device, a message from the wireless communication device in response to the first probe message; and transmitting information about the signal quality of the first channel from the wireless networking device to the controller based on the message received in response to the first probe message. In other words, the indication of the signal quality of the plurality of first channels (i.e., different combinations of networked devices and wireless communication devices and different beam directions) may be based on channel sounding.

Obtaining an indication of signal quality of a second channel of the plurality of second channels (i.e., a channel between the wireless communication device and the radio sub-power module along a particular beam direction) may include: forwarding, from the wireless communication device to the wireless power electronics module, a second probe message received at the wireless communication device from one of the at least one wireless networking device. Then, the present embodiment may further include: in response to the second probe message, receiving a message from the wireless power electronics module at the communication device, and transmitting information regarding signal quality of the second channel from the wireless communication device to the controller via a wireless networking device based on the message received in response to the second probe message. In other words, the indication of the signal quality of the plurality of second channels (i.e. different combinations of communication device and wireless power electronics module and different beam directions) may be based on channel sounding.

The wireless networking device and the wireless communication device may each include an antenna element for directing their respective radio beams. The radio beam direction may be established by a setting of an antenna element of the wireless networking device and a setting of an antenna element of the wireless communication device.

Similarly, each of the plurality of wireless communication devices may comprise an antenna element for directing their respective radio beam and radio beam direction between the two wireless communication devices for e.g. obtaining an indication of the quality of the second channel, which may be established by the arrangement of the antenna element of the wireless communication device and the arrangement of the antenna element of the wireless communication device of the wireless power electronics module.

The antenna elements may be configured to steer their respective radio beams with a degree of accuracy. Thus, the number of possible radio beam directions of the antenna element is 360 degrees divided by its respective accuracy. For example, if an antenna element has an accuracy of 10 degrees, the antenna element may steer its radio beam in 36 (i.e., 360 divided by 10) directions. It should be understood that the mentioned accuracy is purely exemplary. The accuracy of an antenna element may be substantially any degree. The antenna element may comprise an analog board comprising at least one antenna. The term "antenna element" also refers to, for example, an antenna array, a directional antenna. The antenna elements may be coupled to their respective wireless networking devices or to respective wireless communication devices.

A wireless communication device may include at least two antenna elements for directing respective radio beams. One wireless communication device including at least two antenna elements may be configured to receive radio signals via at least one first antenna element of the at least two antenna elements and transmit radio signals via at least one second antenna element of the at least two antenna elements. At least two antenna elements of one wireless communication device may be coupled to each other. The at least one second antenna element of one wireless communication device may be configured to forward signals or messages received by the at least one first antenna element of the wireless communication device. The forwarding of the signal or message may be done in the analog domain, which may reduce latency. At least one of the frequency and the radio wave beam direction of at least one first antenna element and at least one second antenna element of one wireless communication device may be different, such that interference between the at least one first antenna element and the at least one second antenna element may be reduced. The use of two antenna elements improves the efficiency in setting up a communication system.

The radio beam direction may be established by beam forming or by manually setting corresponding antenna elements of the wireless networking device and/or the wireless communication device. Beamforming and manual setting may each be understood as directional communication. The term "beam forming" also refers to, for example, beam steering. Beamforming may include applying a weight to each antenna in an antenna array of a respective antenna element. Applying a respective weight to each antenna in an antenna array of a respective antenna element may change the phase of the antenna. The change in phase of the antenna may direct a radio beam generated by an antenna array comprising the antenna in a particular direction. The wireless networking device and the wireless communication including the antenna element may also be configured to control the weight. The wireless networking device and the wireless communication including antenna elements may also be configured to control the frequency of signals transmitted by the respective antenna elements. Beamforming may reduce the time taken to switch between different radio beam directions, which reduces setup and commissioning time when setting up a communication system of a power converter station. The term "manual setting" also refers to, for example, mechanical setting, manual guiding, manual orientation, and/or mechanical orientation. The manual setting may be performed by a motor configured to rotate the antenna element. Alternatively, the manual setting may be performed by an operator manually guiding the antenna element. This embodiment allows more possible radio beam directions, which may reduce latency and/or increase the bandwidth of the communication system.

The plurality of first channels may include all communication paths between each of the at least one wireless networking device and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices. Thus, the method may comprise: an indication of signal quality of all communication paths between each of the at least one wireless networking device and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is obtained. This embodiment provides an indication of signal quality for each possible first channel within the power converter station, which may increase the number of communication paths providing signal quality above a threshold, thereby increasing bandwidth and/or reducing latency of the communication system.

At least one determined communication path between the controller and one wireless power electronics module includes at least one of: a direct communication path between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module; and a communication path between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module including a wireless communication device that acts as a relay. In other words, the at least one determined communication path between the controller and one wireless power electronics module may comprise one of: a direct communication path including a first channel and a second channel. In a communication path including a first channel and a second channel, a wireless communication device may act as a relay between the first channel and the second channel.

The controller may be configured to determine that the wireless power electronics module is faulty if it is determined that there is no communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module that provides a signal quality above the threshold. Differently expressed, if all communication paths from the controller to the wireless power electronics module provide a signal quality below the threshold, it is determined that the wireless power electronics module is faulty. The term "faulty" also refers to, for example, inactive, unavailable or faulty. The controller may be configured to control a power device of the wireless power electronic module that is not determined to be faulty. This embodiment reduces the risk of sending instructions from the controller to the faulty wireless power electronic module. The controller may be configured to control the power device to perform operations previously performed by the power device of the faulty wireless power electronics module.

The controller may be configured to determine that the wireless communication device is faulty if it is determined that there is no communication path from the controller to the wireless communication device that provides a signal quality above the threshold. The controller may be configured to delete or cancel all determined communication paths to and from the faulty wireless communication device after determining that the wireless communication device is faulty. If the malfunctioning wireless communications device is acting as a relay for a wireless power electronics module, the controller may switch to another determined communications path not involving the malfunctioning wireless communications device to control the wireless power electronics module. This embodiment further increases the reliability of the communication system.

The controller may be configured to communicate a respective communication frequency to each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronics module. Each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronics module may be configured to communicate at their respective communication frequencies.

The communication within the wireless communication system and thus within the converter station, i.e. the wireless communication between the wireless communication device, the networking device and/or the wireless power electronics module, may correspond to a communication at a frequency from 3GHz to 300GHz or from 0.1THz to 10 THz. The communication may correspond to communication at frequencies from 30GHz to 300GHz or from 0.1THz to 10 THz. In other words, the wireless communication may correspond to millimeter wave (mmwave) range communication, sub-THz range communication, or THz range communication. Wireless communications at frequencies from 30GHz to 300GHz or from 0.1THz to 10THz have a shorter range than conventional wireless communications, such as communications at the 2,4/5GHz spectrum or adjacent frequencies. A shorter communication range at frequencies from 30GHz to 300GHz or from 0.1THz to 10THz may cause less interference between different communication channels using the frequencies. Thus, reliability and bandwidth can be further improved by using such frequencies. Furthermore, the use of such frequency ranges may allow different communication channels to use different (separate) frequencies within the frequency ranges, which may further improve the reliability and bandwidth of the resulting method and power converter station.

It should be noted that other embodiments are contemplated that use all possible combinations of the features recited in the embodiments described above. Accordingly, the present disclosure also relates to all possible combinations of features mentioned herein.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1-3 are schematic views of a power converter station according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of a first channel between a wireless networking device and a wireless power electronics module in accordance with one or more example embodiments.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for establishing a wireless communication system in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

All figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate embodiments of the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Detailed Description

The invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar components having the same or similar functions, unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a converter station 5a according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The converter station 5a may be a high voltage power converter station 5a. The converter station 5a comprises a hall 50 or cabinet 50 in which three power devices 10 and four wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r are arranged. The wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r each comprise an antenna element 30, wherein the three

wireless communication devices

15a, 15b, 15r each comprise two antenna elements 30. The wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r are configured to receive radio signals via the antenna element 30 and to transmit radio signals via the antenna element 30. The three

wireless communication devices

15a, 15b, 15r comprising two antenna elements 30 may be configured to receive radio signals simultaneously via one of the two antenna elements 30 and to transmit radio signals via the other of the two antenna elements 30. Three of the four wireless communication devices 15a-15c are associated with respective power devices 10 such that one (i.e., one) power device 10 and one (i.e., one) wireless communication device 15a-15c together form one (i.e., one) wireless

power electronics module

25a, 25b, or 25c. The wireless communication device 15r not associated with the power device 10 may be referred to (or used as) a relay 15r, for example. The converter station 5a further comprises a wireless networking device 20, which wireless networking device 20 is configured for providing a communication interface between the communication devices 15a-15c, 15r and a controller 100, which controller 100 is configured for controlling the power devices 10 of the wireless power electronics modules 25a-25 c. The networking device 20 comprises an antenna element 30. The wireless networking device 20 is configured to receive radio signals via the antenna element 30 and transmit radio signals via the antenna element 30. The wireless networking device 20 is coupled to a controller 100. The wireless networking device 20 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 100 via wires or wirelessly. Inside the converter station 5a depicted in fig. 1, three obstacles are represented as hatched rectangles. The obstacle may be, for example, a wall, a doorway, a structural part of the converter station 5a, a piece of equipment or furniture. The obstructions may cause interference or impairment in communications between the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r themselves and between the networking device 20 and the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r. The obstruction may block, reflect, and/or absorb radio signals.

Although in fig. 1 the controller 100 is shown as being disposed outside the power converter hall 50, in other variations the controller 100 may be disposed inside the converter hall 50. Further, there may be additional controllers coupled to the wireless networking device 20. The additional controller may be coupled to the wireless networking device 20 for redundancy, which may increase reliability.

The wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r, the networking device 20 and the controller 100 may together constitute a communication system of the power converter station 5. The present disclosure relates to the establishment of such a communication system and, in particular, to the establishment of a communication path between the controller 100 and each of the wireless power electronic modules 25a-25c such that they can exchange different types of messages, such as control messages and status messages.

For this purpose, the controller 100 is configured to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of first channels 31. The first channel 31 corresponds to a communication path between the wireless networking device 20 and one of the four wireless communication devices 15a-15c using one of a plurality of radio beam directions (not shown in fig. 1, but shown in fig. 4). In other words, the first channel does not represent a complete communication path from the controller 100 to the communication devices 15a-15c, 15r, but rather represents a direct communication path (i.e., a segment or section of a complete communication path) from the networking device 20 to the communication devices 15a-15c, 15 r.

The controller 100 is further configured to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of second channels 32. The second channel 32 corresponds to a communication path between one wireless communication device 15a-15c, 15r and one of the three wireless power

electronic modules

25a, 25b, 25c using one of the plurality of radio beam directions. Thus, the second channel may be a communication path between the wireless communication device 15a of the wireless power electronics module 25a and the wireless communication device 15b of the wireless power electronics module 25b, or a communication path between the wireless communication device 15r not associated with any power device and one of the wireless power electronics modules 25a-25 c. For the first channel, the second channel does not represent the complete communication path from the controller 100 to one of the communication devices 15, but rather represents the communication path (i.e., a segment or section of the complete communication path) from one of the communication devices 15 to one of the wireless power electronics modules.

The controller 100 is then further configured to determine (or select) at least one communication path from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics modules 25a-25c based on the indications of signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels 31 and the plurality of second channels 32 for each wireless

power electronics module

25a, 25b, 25c such that the determined or selected communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold.

For exemplary purposes, fig. 1 shows three first channels 31. Each of the three first channels 31 corresponds to a communication path between the wireless networking device 20 and one respective

wireless communication device

15a, 15b, 15r, wherein two of the three

wireless communication devices

15a, 15b together with one respective power device 10 form a wireless

power electronics module

25a, 25b. These communication paths represent potential or candidate communication paths between the networking device 20 and the respective

radio sub-power modules

25a and 25b.

There may be a plurality of first channels 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and each of the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15 r. The three first channels 31 represented in fig. 1 may be assumed to be communication paths providing a determination of signal quality above a threshold. Three first channels 31 represent direct communication paths. Further, it should be appreciated that there may be multiple determined communication paths between the wireless networking device 20 and each of the wireless communication devices 15a-15c, 15r that provide signal quality above a threshold. The three determined communication paths 31 may be understood as being the determined channels with the highest signal quality or at least with a signal quality above a threshold.

Fig. 1 shows three second channels 32. One of the three second channels 32 is between the relay 15r and one of the wireless power electronics modules 25c, and the other of the three second channels 32 is between the wireless power electronics module 25c and the other wireless power electronics module 25 b. Thus, these two second channels may provide two alternative communication paths from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics module 25c via the relay 15r or via the wireless power electronics module 25 b. This redundancy in the communication path is beneficial in the event of equipment failure. For example, even if one of the wireless power electronics modules 25b or the relay 15r experiences an equipment failure, which would render one of the communication paths between the controller 100 and the wireless power electronics module 25c via the wireless power electronics module 25b or the relay 15r, respectively, unavailable, the wireless power module 25c would still have one communication path providing a signal quality above the threshold. In some embodiments, to further improve the reliability of the system, it is also conceivable to establish wireless communication between the networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25c via the wireless communication device 25a and the wireless communication device 25b, involving one first channel 31 and two second channels 32.

The three second channels 32 represented in fig. 1 may be assumed to be at least part of three determined communication paths between the controller 100 and one of the wireless power electronics modules 25a to 25c and providing a signal quality above a threshold.

The third of the three second channels 32 is between the wireless power electronics module 25a and the wireless power electronics module 25 b. Thus, the controller 100 may determine two communication paths between the wireless networking module 25b and the controller 100. One of the two determined communication paths may include a first channel 31 (direct communication path) between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless networking module 25 b. The other of the two determined communication paths includes a first portion corresponding to a first channel 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25a and a second portion corresponding to a second channel 32 (communication path based on cooperative communication) between the wireless power electronics module 25a and the wireless power electronics module 25 b. Both determined communication paths may provide a signal quality above a threshold and thus be selected by the controller 100 for subsequent communication with the wireless power electronics module 25 b. In this embodiment, the directly determined communication path may have a higher signal quality than the cooperative communication path. However, at some point in time, an obstacle (such as an operator or piece of equipment) may appear in the converter hall 50 and between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25b that reduces the signal quality of the direct communication path, for example. In such a case, the controller 100 may be configured to switch to another determined communication path (based on cooperative communication) to communicate with the wireless power electronics module 25 b.

It will thus be appreciated that the method for establishing a communication system in a power converter station may be performed at the time of installation of devices of the power converter station (including wireless communication devices, networking devices and power devices) or at a later stage after installation. The method may also be performed at regular time intervals or after detecting the installation of a new device or any other change in the power converter station.

Although only some first channels 31 and some second channels 32 are shown in fig. 1, the controller may obtain an indication of the signal quality of a plurality of first and second channels. Fig. 1 shows a first channel 34 between, for example, the networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25c, said first channel 34 having no signal quality above a threshold value, which is indicated by drawing the first channel 34 with a dashed line. The controller may then obtain an indication of the signal quality of the first channel 34 (i.e., the potential direct communication) between the networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25 c. However, because such direct communication appears to be compromised by the elements of the power converter station, the signal quality of such a first channel will not be sufficient to qualify as part of the communication path from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics module 25 c.

Similarly, although the wireless communication device 15r and the wireless power electronic module 25b functioning as relays can theoretically form the second channel, communication between these two devices appears to be severely impaired or blocked by the wall of the power converter station or the like. Thus, the controller 100 may obtain an indication of low signal quality (or lack of such an indication of the second channel).

Further, it should be appreciated that there may be a plurality of second channels 32 that may be used to provide a communication path having a signal quality above a threshold. For example, fig. 1 shows a second channel 32 between relay 15r and wireless power electronics module 25c and another second channel 32 between wireless power electronics module 25c and wireless power electronics module 25b. Assuming that these two second channels provide relatively high signal quality, fig. 1 shows two possible communication paths between the controller 100 and the wireless power electronics module 25c that provide signal quality above a threshold.

The first communication path involves the wireless power electronics module 25b acting as a relay between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25 c. In other words, the first communication path includes a first channel 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25b and a second channel 32 between the wireless power electronics module 25b and the wireless power electronics module 25 c.

The second communication path involves the wireless communication device 15r acting only as a relay (not associated with a power device) between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power module 25 c. In other words, the second communication path includes a first channel 31 between the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless communication device 15r that is not associated with any power device and a second channel 32 between the wireless communication device 15r and the wireless power electronics module 25 c.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a power converter station 5b according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The power converter station shown in fig. 2 includes features, elements and/or functions as shown in fig. 1 and described in the associated text. Thus, for added understanding, reference is also made to fig. 1 and its associated description. The difference between the

converter stations

5a and 5b shown in fig. 1 and 2 is that the converter station 5b in fig. 2 comprises an additional wireless networking device 22. Additional wireless networking devices 22 are also coupled to the controller 100.

Fig. 2 illustrates four first channels 31. Two first channels 31 are established between the wireless networking device 20 and the two wireless

power electronics modules

25a, 25b, respectively. Two other of the four first channels 31 are between each of the

wireless networking devices

20, 22 and the wireless communication device 15 that acts as a relay. Thus, fig. 2 shows a respective direct communication path to each of the wireless power

electronic modules

25a, 25b via a respective first channel 31.

Fig. 2 also illustrates three indirect communication paths to a third wireless power electronics module 25 c. One of the three indirect communication paths includes communication between the wireless networking device 20 and a third wireless power electronics module 25c, with one of the other wireless power electronics modules 25b acting as a relay. The other two indirect communication paths involve communication between the third wireless power electronics module 25c and each of the two

wireless networking devices

20, 22 via relay 15r, respectively. Thus, all indirect communication paths include a first channel 31 and a second channel 32.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a converter station 5c according to one or more exemplary embodiments. The power converter station 5c shown in fig. 3 comprises the features, elements and/or functions as shown in fig. 2 and 3 and described in the associated text. Thus, to increase understanding, reference is also made to these figures and associated text. The difference between the converter station 5b shown in fig. 3 and 2 is that the converter station 5c shown in fig. 3 comprises a fourth wireless power electronics module 25d. The fourth wireless power electronics module 25d is coupled to one of the wireless networking devices 20 via a wire 33. The fourth wireless power electronics module 25d may be configured to act as a relay for one of the preferred (or determined) communication paths from the controller 100 to the wireless power electronics 25c via its wireless communication device 15 d. Fig. 3 shows a second channel 32 between the third wireless power electronics module 25c and the fourth wireless power electronics module 25d.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plurality of first channels between wireless networking device 20 and wireless power electronics module 25 in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. Each of the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25 includes an antenna element 30 for directing their respective radio beams 35. The radio beam direction 35 is established by the arrangement of the antenna elements 30 of the wireless networking device 20 and the wireless power electronics module 25. Fig. 4 shows that each antenna element 30 is directed in six radio beam directions 35. Each radio beam direction is represented as a partial dashed line radiating from a respective antenna element 30. It should be appreciated that any number of radio wave beam directions 35 may be present, and that a number of 6 is one embodiment. Furthermore, the radio beam may continue to propagate in the radio beam direction 35, which is indicated in fig. 4 by the dashed line portion at the distal end of the line extending from the antenna element. In other embodiments, the wireless networking device 20 shown in fig. 4 may be replaced by a wireless communication device 15 or a wireless power electronics module 25 for obtaining information about the signal quality of a plurality of second channels established between the two entities by using different beam directions. The wireless power electronics module 25 shown in fig. 4 may alternatively be replaced with a wireless communication device 15.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 1 for establishing a wireless communication system in a power converter station in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The power converter station may be a power converter station 5 according to an exemplary embodiment as shown in fig. 1 to 3 or a combination thereof. Further, the controller 100 associated with such a power converter station 5 may be configured to operate according to method 1.

The flowchart shows a step S1 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of first channels 31. Step S1 of obtaining an indication of signal quality may be performed for each first channel 31. The step S1 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of one of the plurality of first channels 31 may comprise:

a first probe message S11 is transmitted from the wireless networking device 20 to the wireless communication device 15,

receiving at the wireless networking device 20 a message S12 from the wireless communication device 15 in response to the first probe message, and

information S13 about the signal quality of the first channel 31 is transmitted from the wireless networking device 20 to the controller 100 based on the message received in response to the first probe message.

An exemplary communication system in the converter station 5 may comprise a plurality N of wireless networking devices 20, a plurality M of wireless communication devices 15, wherein a number K of wireless communication devices 15 together with a corresponding power device 10 form one wireless power electronics module 25, and wherein each of the N wireless networking devices 20 and each of the M wireless communication devices 15 may communicate using a number D of radio beam directions 35. A plurality of (M-K) wireless communication devices 15 not associated with a power device may serve only as relays 15. As described above, K wireless communication devices may also be used as relays, but they are also associated with the power devices of the power converter station.

To obtain an indication of the signal quality of each first channel 31, an exemplary communication system as described above will transmit N x M x D first probe messages: one first probe message is transmitted from each of the N number of wireless networking devices 20 to each of the M number of wireless communication devices 15 using each of the D number of radio beam directions.

The flow chart of fig. 5 shows a step S2 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of second channels 32. Step S2 of obtaining an indication of signal quality may be performed for each second channel 32. The step S2 of obtaining an indication of the signal quality of each of the plurality of second channels 32 may comprise:

Forwarding from said wireless communication device 15 to said wireless power electronics module 25 a second probe message S21 received at said wireless communication device 15 from said wireless networking device 20,

receiving a message S22 from the wireless power electronics module 25 at the communication device 15 in response to the second probe message, and

based on the message received in response to the second probe message, information S23 about the signal quality of the second channel 32 is sent from the wireless communication device 15 to the controller 100 via the wireless networking device 20.

To obtain an indication of the signal quality of each second channel 32, the exemplary communication system as described above will forward (M-K) K D second probe messages from the relay 15 to the wireless power electronics module 25: one second probe message is forwarded from each of the (M-K) relays 15 to each of the K number of power electronics modules 25 using each of the D number of radio beam directions 35.

Furthermore, to obtain an indication of the signal quality of each second channel 32, the exemplary communication system as described above will forward K x (K-1)/2*D second probe messages between the wireless power electronic modules 25: one second probe message is forwarded from each of the K number of power electronic modules 25 to each of the (K-1) other power electronic modules 25 using each of the D number of radio beam directions 35.

Thus, the communication system will need to forward ((M-K) k+ (K-1)/2)) -D second probe messages to investigate all possible second channels.

However, if all wireless communication devices 15 of the exemplary communication system form a wireless power electronic device 25 together with one power device 15 (i.e., k=m), the system forwards M x (M-1)/2*D second probe messages.

The transmission and forwarding of the probe message may be performed automatically. In other words, the transmission and forwarding of the probe message may be performed without manual application of force. Each probe message takes a relatively short period of time. For example, one probe message may take about 1ms. If n=10, m=100, d=50, and k=m, the time required to perform steps S1 and S2 of method 1 will be about 10 minutes. These values are provided as just one example to illustrate the benefits of the present method.

The configuration of the communication system of the power converter station may be considered to follow a two-step procedure comprising channel sounding and path selection.

During channel sounding, all possible combinations between networking devices (or hubs) and wireless power electronics modules (and relays) are explored. For this purpose, it is assumed that the antenna arrays are adapted to steer (steer) their radio beams as mentioned above. In a first portion of the process, a first wireless networking device (or hub) sends a message to the first wireless communication device for each of a plurality of possible beam directions. The first wireless communication device replies for each beam direction (if a message in the corresponding direction is received). The first wireless networking device records the received signal quality from the first wireless communication device for each direction (a very low level of signal quality is used if no message is received). Information or an indication of the signal quality of the first channels of this first subset is transmitted to the controller. The process is then repeated for each of the other wireless communication devices, and then repeated again for each of the networked devices.

After or concurrently with this first portion of the process, the wireless networking device sends another message (different from the first message) to the first wireless communication device. If the first wireless communication device has two antenna arrays, it may use a second antenna array to forward the message to each of the other wireless communication devices using each of the possible beam directions. Each wireless communication device replies for each direction (if a message in the corresponding direction is received). The first wireless communication device records the received signal quality from each other wireless communication device for each direction (using a very low number if no message is received) and sends this information back to the wireless networking device (using the best direction implemented in the first part of the process described above) which sends the information to the controller. This second portion of the process is repeated for each wireless communication device.

At the end of these two parts of the channel sounding, the controller has information about all possible combinations for establishing a communication path to each of the wireless power electronics modules. The controller may then use the information collected during the channel sounding phase for path selection. The controller may determine the communication path as described in the previous embodiments by direct communication between the networking device and the wireless power electronics module or by cooperative communication involving a communication device (or another wireless power electronics module) acting as a relay.

While the invention has been illustrated in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration is to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A method (1) for establishing a wireless communication system in a high voltage power converter station (5 a-5 c), the high voltage power converter station comprising a plurality of power devices (10 a-10 c), wherein the wireless communication system comprises: a plurality of wireless communication devices (15 a-15 c), some of the plurality of wireless communication devices being associated with a power device such that the power device and the wireless communication devices together form a wireless power electronics module (25 a-25 c); and at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power device, the method comprising:

Obtaining, at the controller, an indication (S1) of signal quality for each of a plurality of first channels, wherein a first channel (31) corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions (35);

obtaining, at the controller, an indication (S2) of a signal quality of each of a plurality of second channels, wherein a second channel (32) corresponds to a communication path between a wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronic modules using one of a plurality of radio beam directions; and

for each wireless power electronics module, determining, by the controller, at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the indication of signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels, wherein the determined communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold (S3).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the wireless power electronics module along at least two communication paths providing two highest signal qualities.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to prioritize the determined communication paths based on signal quality.

4. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein information about at least one determined communication path is transmitted to the at least one wireless networking device and the wireless communication device.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to: during operation, communication with a wireless power module is along a communication path providing a highest signal quality, and switching to a communication path providing the second highest signal quality if a status message is not received from the wireless power module and the communication path is determined to be inactive within a predetermined period of time.

6. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein obtaining an indication of signal quality of one of the plurality of first channels comprises:

transmitting a first probe message from the wireless networking device to the wireless communication device (S11);

receiving a message from the wireless communication device at the wireless networking device in response to the first probe message (S12), and

Information about the signal quality of the first channel is transmitted from the wireless networking device to the controller based on the message received in response to the first probe message (S13).

7. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein obtaining an indication of signal quality of one of the plurality of second channels comprises:

forwarding a second probe message received at the wireless communication device from one of the at least one wireless networking device from the wireless communication device to the wireless power electronics module (S21),

receiving a message from the wireless power electronics module at the communication device in response to the second probe message (S22), and

information about the signal quality of the second channel is transmitted from the wireless communication device to the controller via a wireless networking device based on the message received in response to the second probe message (S23).

8. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless networking device and the wireless communication device each comprise an antenna element for directing their respective radio beams, and wherein the radio beam direction is established by the setting of the antenna element of the wireless networking device and the setting of the antenna element of the wireless communication device for obtaining an indication of the quality of the first channel.

9. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of wireless communication devices comprises an antenna element for directing its respective radio beam, and wherein a radio beam direction is established by a setting of the antenna element of the wireless communication device and a setting of the antenna element of the wireless communication device of the wireless power electronics module for obtaining an indication of a quality of a second channel.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the radio beam direction is established by beam forming or by manually setting the respective antenna elements.

11. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of first channels includes all communication paths between each of the at least one wireless networking device and each of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one determined communication path between the controller and one wireless power electronics module comprises at least one of: (i) A direct communication path between a wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module; and (ii) a communication path between the wireless networking device and the wireless power electronics module that includes a wireless communication device that acts as a relay.

13. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to: if it is determined that there is no communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module that provides a signal quality above the threshold, it is determined that the wireless power electronics module is faulty.

14. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to communicate one respective communication frequency to each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronics module, wherein each wireless networking device and each wireless power electronics module is configured to communicate at its respective communication frequency.

15. A high voltage power converter station (5 a-5 c) comprising:

a plurality of power devices (10 a-10 c);

a plurality of wireless communication devices (15 a-15 c), some of the plurality of wireless communication devices being associated with a power device such that the power device and the wireless communication devices together form a wireless power electronics module (25 a-25 c),

at least one wireless networking device (20) for providing a communication interface between the plurality of wireless communication devices and a controller (100) configured to control the power device;

Wherein the controller is configured to:

obtaining an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of first channels, wherein a first channel corresponds to a communication path between one of the at least one wireless networking device and one of the plurality of wireless communication devices using one of a plurality of radio beam directions;

obtaining an indication of signal quality for each of a plurality of second channels, wherein a second channel corresponds to a communication path between a wireless communication device and one of the plurality of wireless power electronic modules using one of a plurality of radio beam directions; and

for each wireless power electronics module, determining at least one communication path from the controller to the wireless power electronics module based on the indication of signal quality obtained for the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels, wherein the determined communication path provides a signal quality above a threshold.

16. The converter station according to claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to operate according to a method as defined in any one of claims 1-14.

17. The method of any of claims 1 to 14 or the converter station of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein wireless communication within the power converter station corresponds to communication at a frequency from 3GHz to 300GHz or from 0.1THz to 10 THz.